FAMPO Technical Committee Meeting Minutes April 11, 2015 www.fampo.gwregion.org/fampo-technical-committee

Members Present: Mr. Dan Cole, Chair, County of Spotsylvania Mr. Bassam Amin, City of Fredericksburg Mr. Erik Nelson, City of Fredericksburg Ms. Angeline Crowder, County of Caroline Mr. Jack Green, County of King George Mr. Linwood Thomas, County of King George Mr. Doug Morgan, County of Spotsylvania Mr. Joey Hess, County of Stafford Mr. Tim Roseboom, Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) Mr. Rodney White, Fredericksburg Regional Transit (FRED) Ms. Diana Utz, George Washington Regional Commission (GWRC) Ms. Cynthia Porter Johnson, Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) Ms. Michelle Shropshire, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Mr. Craig Van Dussen, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Mr. Dan Grinnell, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Ms. Christine Hoeffner, (VRE) Mr. Cheng Yan, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

Others Present: Mr. Stephen Haynes, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)

Staff Members Present: Mr. Paul Agnello, FAMPO Mr. Lloyd Robinson, FAMPO Mr. Daniel Reese, FAMPO Mr. Nicholas Quint, FAMPO Ms. Fiona Curtis, FAMPO Ms. JoAnna Roberson, GWRC

CALL TO ORDER

The Technical Committee meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m.

APPROVAL OF FAMPO TECHNICAL COMMITTEE AGENDA

The April 11, 2016 FAMPO Technical Committee agenda was approved as submitted.

April 11, 2016 – FAMPO Technical Committee Meeting Minutes 1

APPROVAL OF FAMPO TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 14, 2016

The minutes from the March 14, 2016, FAMPO Technical Committee meeting were accepted as submitted.

REVIEW OF FAMPO POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING ON MARCH 21, 2016

Mr. Agnello advised that the Policy Committee minutes are included in today’s agenda packet, and he would highlight the items of significance. Mr. Agnello stated that both GWRC and FAMPO adopted Resolution No. 16-27 which endorses the FY2017 FASTLANE Grant Application for the I-95 Rappahannock River Crossings Project. Mr. Agnello stated that there was discussion and concurrence among the Policy Committee members that FAMPO be considered as a stakeholder member on the I-95/395 Transit/Transportation Demand Management (TDM) committee. It was a recommendation from the Policy Committee that FAMPO draft a letter for the chairman’s signature stating the request. Mr. Agnello advised that a copy of the letter submitted on behalf of the Policy Committee is included in today’s agenda packet under the Correspondence category.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS

a.) Resolution No. 16-28, Directing that a Public Comment Period and Public Hearing be held prior to the Adoption of the FY2017 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) – Mr. Paul Agnello

Mr. Agnello stated that the UPWP needs to be updated annually. Before being adopted, a 30-day public comment period and public hearing are required. Mr. Agnello stated that Resolution No. 16- 28 is asking that the public hearing be set to begin on April 20, 2016. Comments will be received until the close of business on May 19th. A public hearing will be held in May and the Policy Committee will be asked to endorse the resolution after all comments received have been addressed, and UPWP amended if necessary.

Upon motion by Mr. Nelson and seconded by Mr. Cole, with all concurring, Resolution No. 16-28 was endorsed with a recommendation that it be adopted by the Policy Committee at the upcoming April 18th meeting.

b.) Transportation Updates – Mr. Paul Agnello

April 11, 2016 – FAMPO Technical Committee Meeting Minutes 2

i. FY2017-2022 Six Year Improvement Program (SYIP) Public Meetings and Schedule

Mr. Agnello advised that the VDOT Fredericksburg District’s spring public meeting is scheduled to occur at 5:30 p.m. on May 10th at Germanna Community College’s Spotsylvania Campus. Mr. Agnello stated that this meeting would not be designed to take comments on the draft Six-Year Plan; however, it would allow one to make comments in regard to the draft HB2 funding plan.

Mr. Agnello advised that since last month’s meeting regarding the FASTLANE/TIGER Grant applications the following updates have occurred:

Re: TIGER Grant applications – Mr. Agnello stated that VRE will be submitting a TIGER Grant application for station improvements at three VRE stations; two of which are in the FAMPO region – the and the . The third station slated for improvement is the Alexandria station.

Re: FASTLANE applications – Mr. Agnello stated that VDOT will be submitting FASTLANE applications for numerous projects located in both this region and in Northern Virginia that meets the qualification criteria for a project being submitted for consideration.

Mr. Agnello stated that to ensure that neither FAMPO nor GWRC would not be competing with the State FASTLANE application effort being led by VDOT, that GWRC will not be submitting any applications for FASTLANE and that FAMPO staff have ceased preparing a FASTLANE application at this time and given the Benefit/Cost Analysis work completed for the River Crossing projects to VDOT for use in the State application. Mr. Agnello stated that the VRE projects that were being considered initially by FAMPO are the two in Stafford County (Leeland Road and Brooke) and VRE is already including these project requests under their TIGER application submittal process.

Mr. Agnello relayed that the application window for project submissions for the second round of HB2 will begin on August 1st. Mr. Agnello stated that a call for projects will be made from staff; and a regional economic development plan will be completed by FAMPO staff and submitted for the first time for round two of the HB2 scoring process. Mr. Agnello stated that other areas within the State that submitted an economic development plan for round one of HB2 project considerations received higher scores and project funding opportunities were maximized. Mr. Agnello stated that in assisting with the upcoming 2045 CLRP efforts that an amendment to the existing CLRP is planned to be available by the June/July time frame.

ii. State March 31st Elected Official – Media Briefing

c.) Stafford VRE Station Projects – Mr. Paul Agnello & Ms. Christine Hoeffner, VRE

April 11, 2016 – FAMPO Technical Committee Meeting Minutes 3

i. State March 29th Debriefing on HB2 Unselected Candidate Project

ii. VRE Presentation on TIGER Grant Proposal

Ms. Hoeffner advised that VRE has six projects that are awaiting final funding allocations that are scheduled for the construction phases and notice to proceed by July of 2018. Three of the six are already 100% funded (Lorton Station, Slaters Lane Crossover, and ). The three projects are not fully funded to date are the Alexandria Station, Brooke Station and Leeland Road Station. The three projects that are currently unfunded will result in an approximate $21 million shortfall. In order to ensure that these three projects move forward, VRE is submitting a TIGER grant application to cover the funding deficits. Ms. Hoeffner stated that the minimum amount of funding allocated from an approved TIGER grant application is $5 million. Ms. Hoeffner stated that a request of application approval of $20 million is high but not unusual. Ms. Hoeffner advised that as the projects already have existing funding allocated to them they are hoping to be able to use this as a leveraging tool in obtaining TIGER grant approvals.

Mr. Agnello asked if a letter of support from both Stafford County and FAMPO would be beneficial. Ms. Hoeffner stated that VRE missed the deadline for obtaining support from Prince William County; however, they have letters endorsing support from NVTA, the City of Alexandria, MWCOG, and Sun-Cal (private partner/developer for Potomac Shores) and would greatly appreciate a letter of support from this region as well. Ms. Hoeffner stated that TIGER grant funding needs to be allocated by FY2019. Mr. Agnello stated that once the final CMAQ funding allocations are released that staff can review the allocations and the years expended, and it is possible that funding year allocations can be leveraged to also provide additional funding for the completion of the three projects.

Mr. Robinson asked if a partial TIGER grant is awarded, which of the projects would have the higher potential for selection –the Alexandria project or the projects in Stafford County at Brooke and Leeland Road. Ms. Hoeffner stated that the grant request is being submitted for three project elements: Alexandria and Brooke/Leeland combined. Ms. Hoeffner stated all three station improvements are required to enable opening of the under the VRE-DRPT- CSXT memorandum of understanding (MOU) and equally important for the overall rail enhancements; however,she would find an answer to this question and reply back to staff.

Ms. Hoeffner advised that the station improvements would provide the following VRE benefits:

Support of VRE’s System Plan to year 2040; service expansion; longer trains with additional trains; and future bi-directional service options

Improvement of operational flexibility on the rail corridors and to minimize station dwelling times; and to provide access to platforms at multiple tracks and to lengthen the existing train platforms

April 11, 2016 – FAMPO Technical Committee Meeting Minutes 4

Improvement of both pedestrian and ADA safety access by eliminating at-grade pedestrian crossings at the Alexandria Station and providing separated grade access between the parking and platform areas

In closing, Ms. Hoeffner stated that the TIGER grant application demonstrates economic competitiveness; quality of life; safety improvements; environmental sustainability and partnership opportunities.

iii. Resolution No. 16-29, Endorsing the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) TIGER Grant Application

Mr. Agnello stated that Resolution No. 16-29 is requesting committee endorsement of VRE’s submission of the TIGER grant application. Ms. Hoeffner stated that the Resolution included in today’s agenda packet needed some amendments in the first two whereas bullet points. Mr. Agnello advised that staff would make the amendments as requested from Ms. Hoeffner. Mr. Cole asked for a motion and second to Resolution No. 16-29.

Upon motion by Mr. Nelson and seconded by Mr. Cole, with all in concurrence, Resolution No. 16- 29 was endorsed with a request that the requested revisions be made and that it then be submitted to the Policy Committee for their review and adoption at the upcoming April Policy Committee meeting.

d.) VDOT FASTLANE/TIGER Projects – Mr. Paul Agnello & VDOT

i. The Commonwealth of Virginia’s New Atlantic Gateway Project

Mr. Agnello advised that the Commonwealth is pursuing both a FASTLANE and TIGER grant application request for the purpose of leveraging support for a $1.4 billion corridor-wide enhancement grant for the improvements to I-95/I-395 from Fredericksburg to Eads Road to the Pentagon in Arlington.

Mr. Agnello stated that the vision of the Atlantic Gateway partnering venture is to expand and embrace the creation of additional freight and personal mobility choices within the region. The significance of this request is for the volumes of traffic travelling these corridors on a daily Monday through Friday basis. Mr. Agnello stated that this would allow for expansion access to the employment opportunities and would increase commuter rail options, Metrorail, highway and bus choices. Mr. Agnello also relayed that it would accelerate key east coast highway and rail freight improvements.

Mr. Agnello relayed that this region was ranked as the worst congestion area in the country; contains the highest density of crashes within the Commonwealth; and accounts for the highest freight delays for any major corridor in Virginia. Mr. Agnello stated that FAMPO would not be submitting on its own either a FASTLANE or TIGER grant applications so as not to be in competition with our other

April 11, 2016 – FAMPO Technical Committee Meeting Minutes 5 entities. Mr. Agnello stated that the deadlines for applications are April 14th(FASTLANE) and April 29th (TIGER). grants.

Mr. Agnello stated that there are four components with the Atlantic Gateway and these are as follows:

Component 1 – Rail Infrastructure (Constructing a third main-line track going from Franconia to Occoquan; improving the rail operations south of Fredericksburg; dedicating the S-line south of Petersburg; constructing a fourth main-line track within Northern Virginia; and continuing the Long Bridge study from Arlington to Washington, DC

Component 2 – I-395 Improvements – Extending the existing express lanes to the Pentagon; improving multimodal access at the Pentagon; and providing safety improvements and capacity improvements from Duke Street to Edsall Road

Component 3 – I-95 Improvements – Extension of the existing express lanes to Fredericksburg (to exit 133 at Route 17 in Stafford County); and adding two additional I-95 southbound lanes across the Rappahannock River

Component 4 – Corridor-wide ITS and TDM Improvements – Providing for additional commuter parking lots in Spotsylvania and Stafford counties

ii. Requested Letter of Support for FASTLANE Grant Application for the Atlantic Gateway Project

Mr. Agnello advised that included in today’s agenda packet is a letter from FAMPO to Anthony Foxx, US Secretary of Transportation, to be signed by Mr. Tim McLaughlin, FAMPO Chairman, expressing FAMPO’s support for the state’s Atlantic Gateway project. The letter indicates that the FASTLANE grant application is in support of the $1.4 billion project that extends from the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia to Fredericksburg, Virginia.

iii. Resolution No. 16-30, Endorsing the Commonwealth of Virginia’s FASTLANE Grant Application

Mr. Agnello advised that Resolution No. 16-30 is the resolution endorsing the state to submit a grant application to the US Department of Transportation for the FASTLANE grant program for funding of the $1.4 billion project referenced above.

Upon motion by Mr. Nelson and seconded by Mr. Cole, with all in concurrence, Resolution No. 16- 30 was endorsed by the Technical Committee with a request that the Policy Committee adopt it at the upcoming April meeting.

April 11, 2016 – FAMPO Technical Committee Meeting Minutes 6

e.) Update on UPC #107715: I-95 at Rte 3 Safety Improvements – Mr. Paul Agnello & Ms. Michelle Shropshire, VDOT

Ms. Shropshire advised that UPC #107715 is in regard to the safety improvement projects being planned on Route 3. Ms. Shropshire stated that project scope was recently changed to have it better mesh with the Rappahannock River Crossing project. Ms. Shropshire stated that the State asked the districts to compile a list of small projects that could be looked at as projects that would be on-going and provide safety improvements in the interim. Ms. Shropshire advised that the safety projects that are included are preferred alternatives from the southbound and northbound Rappahannock River Crossing projects.

Ms. Shropshire stated that improvements from I-95 southbound to Route 3 westbound will include the following:

Widening of Exit 130 exit ramp to 3 lanes & to create a signalized right-turn lane heading in the westbound direction on Route 3

Construct an exit ramp that will include a channelized lane onto Carl D. Silver Parkway

Extension of the deceleration lane and storage lane for I-95 south bound traffic onto Route 3 heading west bound

Ms. Shropshire stated that the above referenced improvements will remove the weaving effect that is currently in place today. Ms. Shropshire relayed that the ramp improvements and triple right turning lane with signal installed will help to alleviate the daily traffic congestion that occurs in the west bound direction on Route 3; however, the east bound traffic will not be impacted.

In regard to the Route 3 eastbound to I-95 north-bound improvements, which will be on the east side of the interstate, the following will occur:

Removal of the existing loop at Route 3 east-bound heading onto I-95 northbound

Construction of a triple left with a 2-phase signal installed

Ms. Shropshire relayed that these additions will improve the weaving entering and exiting I-95 that occurs from the two loops and causes al of accidents. Ms. Shropshire advised that the next steps in the process are as follows:

Allocate funds for all three phases of the project improvements Project cost estimate is $21 million Preliminary design and NEPA requirements are advancing Documents already begun as design-build procurement Public hearing to be held in late spring/early summer of 2016

April 11, 2016 – FAMPO Technical Committee Meeting Minutes 7

RFP release in the fall of 2016

f.) Update on HB2 Preparation – Mr. Paul Agnello

In preparing for round two of the HB2 process, Mr. Agnello advised that staff has recommended three steps for improvements based on scoring results from other regions from round one of the process. To maximize this regions project scores that will be submitted, all candidate projects need to:

1. Be in FAMPO’s CLRP (statewide high priority projects only) Projects in Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania & Stafford are fiscally constrained Projects in Caroline & King George are not fiscally constrained

2. FAMPO needs to create and submit a Regional Economic Development Plan Projects in the Economic Development Plan are not fiscally constrained

3. Projects that are submitted for consideration need to also be included within each locality’s Comprehensive Plans Projects in the Comprehensive Plans are not fiscally constrained

Mr. Agnello stated that it is staff’s goal to complete the three steps above by June/July. Mr. Agnello relayed that in addition to FAMPO endorsement, locality support will be obtained. Mr. Agnello stated that the application process start date is August 1st and all projects for consideration in HB2 need to be submitted by September 30th.

i. Constrained Long Range Plan (CLRP) Amendment Call for Projects

Mr. Agnello stated that there are two tasks involved with FAMPO’s CLRP update and these are as follows:

1. Staff will review the projects in the existing 2040 CLRP A planned amendment to the 2040 CLRP will occur in June/July Removal of any projects that are no longer being planned for Submittal of new committed projects included in the Draft FY17-22 SYIP Inclusion of any new projects that are subject to fiscal constraints Deadline date of May 18th for submitting candidate projects that would amend the existing 2040 CLRP & these need to be submitted to FAMPO (Danny Reese or Nick Quint)

2. Request from localities for candidate projects for FAMPO’s 2045 Horizon Year CLRP Projects in the 2045 CLRP do not need to have funding committed in order for them to be considered

April 11, 2016 – FAMPO Technical Committee Meeting Minutes 8

Subject to prioritization ranks and fiscal constraints inclusion in CLRP will be required Deadline date of May 31st for candidate projects to be submitted to FAMPO (Danny Reese or Nick Quint)

ii. Economic Development Plan Call for Projects

Mr. Agnello stated that MPO’s can receive additional credit in the HB2 scoring process if a Regional Economic Development Plan is also submitted. Mr. Agnello stated that the intent of developing this plan is for it to be consistent with goals already developed by GWRC, FAMPO, local jurisdictions, and the Fredericksburg Regional Alliance (FRA). Mr. Agnello stated that projects submitted in this plan can be either large or small projects and are not fiscally constrained. Mr. Agnello relayed that the project list will include all projects that are currently in the 2040 CLRP as well as committed projects that are in the Draft FY17-22 SYIP. Mr. Agnello stated that the deadline for these candidate projects will be May 18th.

iii. Need to potentially update Local Comprehensive Plans for HB2

Mr. Agnello stated that staff would be working with each of the jurisdictions to ensure that local comprehensive plans and FAMPO’s plans are consistent. If needed, staff will assist the localities in updating their plan.

g.) Update on CMAQ/RSTP Process – Mr. Paul Agnello & Mr. Daniel Reese

Mr. Reese advised that a spread-sheet is included in today’s agenda packet. The cells on the spread- sheet highlighted in yellow are the only updates submitted to staff at this time, and currently there are only three project updates listed. Mr. Reese stated that to date, only VDOT has provided updates and that staff would be working with each of the localities to determine if updates need to be made within a specific jurisdiction.

h.) Summary of VRE Ridership Survey – Mr. Daniel Reese

Mr. Reese advised that the VRE ridership survey was completed on March 8th. This survey compared results from October 7th, 2015 to March 8, 2016 and included data for before and after the opening of the Spotsylvania VRE station. Mr. Reese stated that the ridership participation numbers have increased and preliminary data indicates that these increases could be due to any or all of the following items: a new train has been added; a new VRE train has been added; and the opening of the new VRE station in Spotsylvania County.

Mr. Reese stated that the total number of riders shown on the October 7th, 2015 survey is 3,098. The March 8th, 2016 survey shows that the total number of passengers is 3,344; this is an increase of over 200 riders (7.3%).

April 11, 2016 – FAMPO Technical Committee Meeting Minutes 9

Mr. Reese advised that train #300 is the only express train. Mr. Reese stated ridership data reflected after the opening of the showed the following: Brooke Station – no change; Fredericksburg Station – significant decrease and Leeland Road Station – slight decrease

CORRESPONDENCE

Letter to Secretary Layne (discussed earlier in meeting)

STAFF REPORT

Mr. Agnello stated that today would be Mr. Van Dussen’s last Technical Committee meeting as he would be retiring from VDOT at the end of the month. The committee wished Mr. Van Dussen well with his new endeavors and thanked him for his service and relationship with FAMPO and the localities over the last five years.

MEMBER REPORTS

GWRC: Ms. Utz advised that GWRideconnect would be starting its summer marketing campaign and that advertising would run from May to the end of June.

VRE: Ms. Hoeffner advised that the annual VRE customer service on-board passenger survey will be upcoming. Ms. Hoeffner did not have the date available at today’s meeting but advised that she would relay this information accordingly.

NEXT TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEETING, May 9th, 2016/ADJOURN

The next Technical Committee meeting will be held on Monday May 9that 9:00.The Technical Committee meeting for April 11th was adjourned at 11:12 a.m.

April 11, 2016 – FAMPO Technical Committee Meeting Minutes 10